Mersal issue goes national as Rahul Gandhi tells PM Narendra Modi not to deomentise Tamil pride!
It seems like the BJP has stirred up a hornet’s nest as Vijay’s Mersal has now become the talk of the nation. The party has forced the makers of Mersal to remove certain scenes alleging that some of their schemes have been mocked in the film. This act of trying to suppress one’s freedom of expression has created a huge uproar, not just in Tamil Nadu.
The issue is being discussed widely across social medias and even in national channels. Several noted celebrities and politicians have come out in support of Vijay and the Mersal team. Kamal Haasan, Arvind Swamy, PC Sreeram, ex-Minister P Chidambaram, Dhananjayan, Nagma, Kushboo Sundar, RJ Balaji and many others have slammed the party for trying to force the makers of Mersal to remove scenes criticising their schemes.
National opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has now come out against the BJP’s attack against Mersal. In his tweet, he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to ‘deomentise’ Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal. His tweet reads,
“Mr. Modi, Cinema is a deep expression of Tamil culture and language. Don’t try to demon-etise Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal”
Mersal, scripted jointly by Atlee, KV Vijayendra Prasad and Ramana Girivasan, has an usual revenge story but comes with a very relevant social message about the importance of a proper health sector. The protagonist in the film fights for free medical facilities to all, regardless of their financial background.
In a particular scene in the film, the character played by Vijay compares the standards of health sector in India and Singapore. He says that despite charging only 7% GST, people there get free medical treatment. But in India where people are charged 28% GST, we don’t get any free treatment. There is another scene where Vadivelu mocks the digital India scheme and how people had to stand in long queues before the ATMs during the demonetisation period.
Tamil Nadu BJP leaders had demanded the scenes related to GST and Digital India in Mersal to be removed. After strong political pressure from all corners including central minister Pon Radhakrishnan, the makers of Mersal have reportedly agreed to remove these scenes.
All these issues have further popularized the movie among the public. It has come as a blessing in disguise for the makers as box office figures are only soaring high. The movie has crossed the 50 crore mark in TN alone in a record 3 days time. It is expected to storm into the elite 100 crore club, worldwide, either by today or tomorrow. Mersal is well on course to become one of the highest grossers in South Indian
